When we walk our Pilgrim Journey faithfully, great things happen!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)

It all starts with a wave of the palms…like the flag at the beginning of a race, and we’re off. It probably felt like that to the disciples as well. With so much at stake, they had returned to Jerusalem. They stood with their world-weary leader, and Jesus kept telling them things they didn’t want to hear. And in the end, the events around the Passover that year would be told in hushed tones for the rest of their lives.

Again this year the Deacons dutifully ordered up palms and pass them out, and took flower orders, both “in memoriam” and “in honor” of those special to us. It’s like a little All Saints Day, as we link the passing of our people to the trials and sacrifice of Jesus.

Nearly fifty people enjoyed Maundy Thursday’s return to Soup Supper!

And it felt right eating in the Youth Room, the Parlor, and the Church Office. Smaller spaces. The cavernous Food Pantry was already doing its work as a food distribution center for the Food Pantry, so we set up tables and ate together in small groups, as the disciples would have done. It didn’t just feel cozy…it felt important to eat that way. I hope we’ll always have the Maundy soup supper this way.

The service was fulfilling and dramatic, as we read through the journey of Jesus to the cross. Thanks again to the Deacons and all who came to make this a special night.

And Easter Arrived!

The morning was cloudy, but a thin band of sky off in the distance at the Hopkinton State Park marina gave a glorious view of the sunrise. Thanks again to United Parishes for organizing and mounting this important annual service. A few hardy Pilgrims were there too! Thanks to Sally for organizing, Peter and Kathy and Monica for singing, and Sue for reading.

Then some of us found ourselves back at Pilgrim for a full Easter Son-rise Breakfast hosted by the Men’s Fellowship. So many families helped, in keeping with the Men’s Fellowship spirit of service. Dick Wallace provided music as we ate. It was the start of a wonderful new tradition.

Worship was full with great music, a great message (if I may say so myself) and extra engagement with kids and families during worship. We got another gift as reporter Richard Damas from Spectrum News 1 arrived to record a newscast about Easter worship. You can view that right here, and thanks to everyone who welcomed Richard and spoke so openly about your Pilgrim experiences.

On behalf of our entire staff, including Monica, Debbie, Carla, Sarah and I, thank you for making Easter such a special time for al of us. Christ is risen!